13 December 2024
general
Retirement is traditionally thought of as a time to slow down and enjoy a more relaxed pace of life.
While there’s certainly nothing wrong with slowing down, if you’re someone who likes to take on new adventures, this traditional view of retirement might not appeal to you very much. Instead, you might prefer to think of it as an opportunity to fulfil the ambitions you’ve not yet had the time or resources for.
If this sounds like a more suitable approach for you, read on to find out about others who have made daring decisions and transformed their lives after the age of 60. Additionally, find out how our advisers can help you prepare for your next chapter so that you can look forward to the exciting adventures you have yet to begin.
3 incredible people who have had “a new start after 60”
The Guardian runs a column titled A new start after 60 showcasing incredible people who have made a brave decision and begun a new chapter later in life. Here are some of the stories that have been featured in the articles.
1. A course at art school led Carol to a lucrative career as a painter
Carol Douglas always regretted pursuing more “sensible” subjects at school instead of her true passion: art. After a varied career that included encouraging children to be creative through art projects, Carol decided it was the right time to revisit her own passion.
She completed an art course at York College, and then began experimenting with acrylic paints on canvas. Slowly, she started to receive recognition for her work.
Now, just a few years after completing her course, Carol has sold hundreds of paintings and had her work featured in a number of exhibitions. The biggest to date, titled Actually, I Can, was held at Yorkshire Sculpture Park and showcased 51 of her paintings.
Now, Carol hopes to begin experimenting with new creative projects.
2. Buying a boat has enabled Stephen to travel the world
Stephen Payne had spent almost 30 years living in LA before moving home to Torquay to support his elderly mother. When she passed away, he decided he didn’t feel comfortable moving back to the US and was struggling to find work in the UK.
One day, he decided it was time for a fresh start. He bought an 11-metre motorised boat in January 2020 and has lived on the vessel ever since, exploring new places and immersing himself in different cultures.
Though it hasn’t always been easy (the Covid lockdown meant Stephen had to stay put for quite some time in a small marina in Berkshire), Stephen feels that buying the boat is the best decision he’s ever made. He’s overcome adversity, learnt new skills, and accomplished things he never thought possible, like crossing the English Channel by himself.
3. A birthday decision has allowed Rosa to defy stereotypes as a model
Rosa Saito began receiving interest from photographers and casting agents in her mid-60s, but always brushed off their comments. She had spent most of her life up until that point as a carer for her relatives and a single mother to three children after her husband passed away in 2000.
So, when she turned 68 in 2019, Rosa decided it was time to try something new and exciting. She contacted one of the modelling agencies that had expressed interest in working with her, and quickly found herself attending a steady stream of auditions.
Her first modelling job was for a Brazilian cosmetics company, and despite her initial nerves, Rosa found herself feeling accepted and welcome. She also noticed that her presence at the photo shoot seemed to inspire and reassure the other models.
Since then, Rosa has modelled for a range of campaigns and companies, and even walked the catwalk at São Paulo Fashion Week in 2022. She plans to continue modelling for the foreseeable future because of the joy it brings her to do something for herself.
Our advisers can help you build a financial plan that enables you to achieve your ambitions for later life
Whether you want to travel the world, learn new skills, or even kickstart a brand-new career, your 60s needn’t be a time to slow down. In fact, they can be the start of an exciting new chapter.
One of the things you can do today to help fill your later years with joy and excitement is to create a financial plan that can support you in achieving your dreams.
Our advisers can help you calculate how much you might need to set aside in savings, pensions, and investments to enable you to fulfil your ambitions. They can also advise you on how to withdraw an income from your savings to help you achieve your lifestyle goals today without the risk of running out of money later on.
Consequently, you can embark on your new adventure with confidence in your financial future.
Get in touch
Your retirement can be anything you want it to be. Let’s work together to make your biggest dreams a reality.
Email enquiries@jesellars.co.uk or call 01934 875 919 to find out how we can help.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.
A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.
